Elia ontfermt zich over de overleden zoon van de weduwe van Sarefat

About this artwork

Het zoontje van de weduwe van Sarefat ligt ernstig ziek op bed. De weduwe staat bij het ziekbed en kijkt hulpeloos om naar Elia die bij haar in de kamer staat. Onder de voorstelling staat een regel tekst in het Latijn.

Art Historical Context

In the poignant engraving *Elia ontfermt over de overleden zoon de weduwe van Sare* (Elijah Takes Pity on the De Son of the Widow of Zarephath), by Dutch engraver Pieter Jalhea Furn (active 1550–1625), we witness a dramatic biblical scene from 1 Kings 17., the prophet, stands in a humble chamber as the widow of Zareath gazes helplessly at her gravely ill young son, who lies motionless on the bed. This moment captures the prophet's compassion before he performs the miracle of resurrection, a testament to faith amid famine and despair during the reign of King Ahab. Furnius's engraving, measuring 211 × 279 mm, exemplifies the technical precision of 16th-century Northern European printmaking. Using a burin to incise fine lines into a metal plate, the artist achieves intricate details in the figures' expressive faces, draped clothing, and sparse interior—hallmarks of the medium's ability to convey emotion and narrative depth. A Latin inscription below the image likely quotes scripture, inviting viewers to reflect on divine intervention, a common feature in religious prints that made sacred stories accessible to the faithful. During the Reformation era, such engravings held immense cultural weight, serving as affordable devotional aids for homes and churches. Furnius's work reflects the era's blend of spiritual fervor and artistic innovation, bridging Renaissance humanism with Protestant iconography and preserving biblical tales for generations.

About the Artist

Pieter Jalhea Furnius · 1530–1615

Pieter Jalhea Furnius (1530–1615, though some sources suggest 1545–1610) was a Flemish engraver and draughtsman who worked during the height of Antwerp Mannerism, creating engravings that disseminated the works of prominent Northern European artists throughout Europe. Trained under the renowned painter Lambert Lombard in Liège, Furnius established himself in Antwerp, the commercial and artistic ca...